Fall Crop 2011 GRAFFITI 101 CLASS: Saturday 5pm

[DeniseM]

Supplies:

Cardstock- several sheets and colors
patterned paper
spray paint in assorted colors
misting sprays
letter stencils
paper punches in different shapes
scissors
chipboard shapes and letters
Black sharpie
drop cloth or broken down cardboard box
outside area for spraying

Let's have some fun!

[Nat Kalbach]

weeehheeee, this rocks!

[DeniseM]

I absolutely love graffiti and have every since I went to an art high school in New Haven CT.

Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. Graffiti is any type of public markings that may appear in the forms of simple written words to elaborate wall paintings. Graffiti has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Modern graffiti as we know it today can trace it's roots to New York City in the 1970's.

Graffiti artists or "writers" started off by using markers or paint pens to create interesting signatures that they left in areas of their neighborhoods. Over the years the style has truly developed into an art form, primarily created with spray paint. What makes art Graffiti? Well to be truthful, it is public art without permission given to the artist.

I have dragged my boys all over creation checking out graffiti spots and now my youngest Jameson is delving into it....on a legal graffiti wall in our city. He is becoming very talented.

Here are some examples of cool graffiti:







love all the shapes and colors.

[Funky Fairy]

Go Denise!!!

(I need my pom poms to cheer you on).

[jjflair]

Ok, already loving this class just from your juicy banner!

[northcarmen]

Darn -- I have no spray paint. But I will watch and learn, and give the techniques a try either later this weekend or next week.

Carmen.

[AnnaB]

This is so amazing! The class will stay on the MB so it's totally possible to go back later on and check it out again!

[anja_wade]

So excited to see your techniques!

[OurLife]

Have always been attracted to this free wheeling art form. Can't wait to find out more.

[DeniseM]

Thanks Nat.

I have a crazy dream of doing my own piece on my garage wall.

In the mean time, I take all the inspiration from graffiti and use it to create backgrounds for my scrapbooking.

If you are using spray paints you really need to do this outside and with something to put behind your piece to protect the grass, driveway or garage floor from getting marked. I like to break down a card board box and use that. You can also use newspaper.

As far as spray paint, regular spray paint is fine, cheap is okay but may not cover as well. I typically use a rustoleum brand but will buy anything for the color. The problem with regular spray paint is the tips. The fine lines and control that street graffiti artists get is from specialty tips. Special graffiti spray paint is better covering and has prettier colors but I haven't invested in either. For working on paper I feel okay just using what's easy. When you are using stencils you don't need special paint or tips.

Here is a short list of some things you might want to gather together.
Cardstock in various colors
Patterned paper
spray paint and spray mists in various colors



various stencils. I love the ones that come as add ons in the kits.


you can use plastic letters, and decorative papers as stencils.


chipboard shapes and alphas (the negative space as well) work great.


Lastly, I like to make my own stencils with paper punches.

[pebbles831]

Wow! I can't wait to see how you create this amazing art!

[mison]

I really must do this when I get home Denise!! SO, SO inpiering!!

[DeniseM]

Let's start with something simple.

Take a really bright and beautiful piece of patterned paper. You can use chipboard shapes or plastic letters to place on your paper.



Using some spray paint cover the paper with a contrasting color.


Spray paint dries very fast. Just wait a few minutes until your first color dries. I used black. I then took white and sprayed randomly over the black. wait again then lift up your letters.


now you have an awesome background.

[jjflair]

Very cool! I bet I could give new life to some ugly papers I have!

[KarenP]

Whooooooa..........this is so cool......can't wait to see more!

[KarenP]

Very cool! I bet I could give new life to some ugly papers I have!

I was just thinking the same thing!

[DeniseM]

Now let's try something different. Take a piece of cardstock in any color. I chose black.
Spray a contrasting color in a random squiggly line. You need to spray closely to the paper and quickly. Spraying close gives you more definition in your line.


I then used a chipboard alpha sheet to spray in both corners of my piece with red paint.


I placed two chipboard stars onto my piece and sprayed with yellow paint.


After the yellow paint had dried I lifted my stars and then sprayed a few lines and used some red metallic glimmer mist to spray the stars.


You can keep adding layers if you want.

[DeniseM]

Very cool! I bet I could give new life to some ugly papers I have!

I was just thinking the same thing!

absolutely ladies. or that ones that just scare you a bit because they are too bright, pink, etc.

[ccm]

Those are awesome! I figured I would be totally lost with graffiti but you made it seem very simple, and very cool. Those backgrounds are too nice to put photos on though

[jjflair]

I'm not from Boston, but the phrase "Wicked Cool" just escaped my lips!